MEDIA REACTION: IRAQ ELECTIONS SECURITY LAW;

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003028

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/PPD, NEA/PPA, NEA/AGS, INR/IZ,
INR/P

E.0. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO IZ
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAQ ELECTIONS SECURITY LAW;
BAGHDAD


1. SUMMARY: The major themes in the daily newspapers on
July 21 were the Sunnis withdrawal from the constitutional
committee, the constitutional committee's preparations for
the referendum and drafting the constitution, and the
latest developments of the security situation. END SUMMARY.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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A. "Electoral districts" (Al-Adala, 7/21)

B. "Patient Iraqis and the marginalized law" (Ad-Dustoor,
7/21)

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SELECTED COMMENTARIES
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A. "Electoral districts" (7/21)

Al-Adala (affiliated with SCIRI led by Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim)
published a third-page editorial by Ali Khalif about the
upcoming elections:

"Our government made a legitimate demand when it requested
that all Iraqis participate in the electoral process and
vote. Everyone in Iraq should see the wisdom of this
request and work to make our elections successful. Last
January, Iraq had a great election. It was based upon the
principle that Iraq is one electoral district.

However, there are some groups that doubt the fairness of
our January elections. They maintain that because many
Iraqis didn't participate in that election it wasn't a
success. For this reason, many political groups have
called for splitting Iraq up into multiple electoral
districts. In this way, they maintain, all provinces will
be represented and nobody can thwart the upcoming
elections.

This will equalize all provinces because it will put an end
to the issue of majority and minority representation. Each
province will have its spokesperson represented in the
national assembly. These representatives will have a voice
in affairs of the government and parliament. They will be
able to put pressure on the government in the name of the
people they represent.

In this way, we will be able have fair representation in
the national assembly. Meanwhile, we have to keep in mind
that each province must be represented according to its
population. This system will ensure full participation and
fairness in elections."


B. "Patient Iraqis and the marginalized law" (7/21)

Ad-Dustoor (independent) published a front-page editorial
by Bassem Al-Sheikh about the current Iraqi situation:

"According to the latest poll, there are about 23
intelligence agencies deployed in Iraq to destroy the
country and kill Iraqi people.

Iraq used to have Articles 156 through 228 of the "Law of
Penalties" to protect them from such agencies, but Paul
Bremer suspended that law in one of his resolutions.

The articles in question states that anyone proved to be
involved in treason, espionage, information leaks,
providing assistance or consultation to any foreign group
to wage war on Iraq will be strictly punished.

This order was judged unjustifiable after the alleged power
transfer to Iraqis. Yet, its suspension has made Iraq an
open field for intelligence agencies of all kinds from all
countries.

Bremer's order has fed terrorism and helped make it grow.
Due to the absence of strong governments in the region our
neighbors have seized this opportunity and destroyed Iraq
mercilessly while our politicians are protected from the
law.

Saddam did not draft the "Law of Penalties." It was
drafted eighty years ago. It seems that our politicians do
not care about the dangers of ignoring those important
articles. Ignoring them will lead to terrorism that targets
Iraq's national, scientific and religious symbols. In
addition, it will disrupt Iraq's security, its unity, its
religion and its identity. Iraq's new politicians, who came
with the foreign troops, protect themselves from the Iraqi
law-by ignoring it.

Our officials discount the idea that strong security can
only be achieved by the presence of a strong and punitive
law. They are busy with security issues. They treat the
symptoms of terrorism rather than eradicate its causes.
These intelligence agencies and their secret organizations
have and will establish positions in Iraq. They will have
strong lobbies in the government that cannot be ignored.
The executive apparatuses must be effective in their
performances to achieve security. However, the patient
Iraqi has nothing to do but pray to god and the national
assembly. The patient Iraqi hopes that the national
assembly will be an effective legislative institution that
can maintain security. This can only be done by activating
suspended articles and drafting new ones. May god keep Iraq
from spies and traitors."

SATTERFIELD